An individual has filed a lawsuit against several New York state agencies, alleging violations of constitutional rights related to prolonged delays in receiving housing assistance.
The defendants named in the complaint are the New York Department of Social Services (DSS), Department of Homeless Services (DHS), and Human Resources Administration (HRA). The case involves claims that the plaintiff’s political speech led to government targeting and harassment beginning in 2017. According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that his social media opposition to then-President Donald Trump resulted in his being placed on a government watchlist. He claims this led to community harassment based on false allegations about his character and interfered with his ability to secure housing benefits through the CityFHEPS program.
The plaintiff asserts that, despite meeting eligibility requirements for a CityFHEPS voucher by September 2024, he faced repeated delays and administrative obstacles. He argues that these delays violated his due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment.
The complaint further alleges that federal agency influence improperly affected the actions of local agencies, resulting in the deprivation of housing assistance. The plaintiff contends this violated procedural due process protections and the Accardi Doctrine, which requires agencies to follow their own rules.
The plaintiff seeks injunctive relief to expedite his placement into housing, compensatory damages of $36,336 for lost benefits, and punitive damages of $1 million.
The plaintiff is representing himself in this matter. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under case ID 25-cv-05253-HG-CHK and is presided over by Judge Hector Gonzalez.